What Is There to Fear?

Xiong Wu looked at Zhou Jingfeng, whose expression was calm, then at Chen Yue standing behind him. His thoughts were in a muddle.

He'd taken a disciple? And formally accepted him as a personal disciple after such a short time?

Earlier, Yu Kan had come on behalf of Iron Mountain Hall to mediate, making it clear the hall was concerned about this matter. Though Xiong Wu had guessed Zhou Jingfeng might have taken a special interest in Chen Yue, formally accepting him as a disciple was an entirely different matter!

This meant that today's conflict was no longer a private grudge between the Sea Shark Gang and a pearl diver. It had escalated into a matter between the Sea Shark Gang and Iron Mountain Hall.

In terms of visible strength and manpower, the Sea Shark Gang naturally far surpassed Iron Mountain Hall, which had only a handful of core disciples. But Zhou Jingfeng himself was highly skilled, one of the top fighters in the county seat.

More importantly, Iron Mountain Hall might seem small, but several of the disciples Zhou Jingfeng had taught in years past had since made names for themselves. Recently, in particular, Zhou Jingfeng had grown close to the Zhou Family, the most powerful force in the city.

But if they simply backed down, what would become of the Sea Shark Gang's reputation?

A pearl diver had beaten them bloody, so the gang leader sent people to call him to account, only for the other hall master to say, "He's my disciple," and the Sea Shark Gang to slink away?

If word got out, the Sea Shark Gang would lose all its standing at the docks and throughout Hepu County!

"So as long as I accept the Life-Death Arena challenge, today's matter will be settled once and for all, no matter the outcome?" A calm voice rang out from behind Zhou Jingfeng, breaking the brief stalemate.

"Chen Yue!"

At the sound of his voice, Zhou Jingfeng whipped around to look at Chen Yue, his brows knitted. "I'm here, so why should you accept any Life-Death Arena challenge?"

His words were firm and decisive. This was genuine protection, not mere courtesy.

Zhou Jingfeng would rather stand in outright opposition to the Sea Shark Gang than let Chen Yue, whom he had only just taken in, risk his life.

Chen Yue bowed to Zhou Jingfeng. His voice was steady. "Master, I'm deeply grateful for your kindness. But today's trouble started because of me. How can I let you and my senior brothers suffer on my account?"

Chen Yue lifted his head and looked at Xiong Wu. "Besides, judging by his aura and physique, this man should also be at the Skin Refining Realm. I have no fear of fighting someone at the same level. Master, please allow me to settle this myself!"

Xiong Wu first paused in surprise. Then his fleshy face broke into a hearty laugh.

"Hahaha! Good! You've got guts, kid!"

His laughter stopped. Xiong Wu fixed Chen Yue with bell-like eyes and nodded. "That's right. I'm at the Skin Refining Realm! Since we're fighting in the Life-Death Arena, it should be a fair fight. The Sea Shark Gang has no need to bully the weak and invite people's scorn! You've got more backbone than those spineless cowards!"

Xiong Wu's expression turned serious, and his tone grew solemn. "Hall Master Zhou, you heard him. It's his own choice. Our Gang Leader Tang made it clear from the start: once the Life-Death Contract is signed and both men step into the arena, the matter is settled for good!

"The Sea Shark Gang will not cause any more trouble for Iron Mountain Hall or Chen Yue's family over this!"

Chen Yue didn't answer Xiong Wu at once. Instead, he turned to his master, Zhou Jingfeng, seeking his approval.

Zhou Jingfeng met Chen Yue's gaze. His mind raced back to the way Chen Yue had practiced the Mountain Crushing Fist moments ago: his subtle understanding of force, and the solid foundation far beyond that of an ordinary Skin Refining Realm fighter.

Although Xiong Wu was a seasoned Skin Refining Realm fighter with years of combat experience, Chen Yue's talent was simply monstrous.

A fight to the death was full of variables. Chen Yue might yet win!

After only a few seconds of consideration, Zhou Jingfeng looked at Chen Yue and slowly nodded. He said nothing, but that nod was permission enough.

With his master's approval, a smile blossomed on Chen Yue's face. He turned and met Xiong Wu's gaze.

"I, Chen Yue, accept the Life-Death Contract!"

"Good! That's the spirit!"

The vicious grin on Xiong Wu's face could no longer be concealed. He said no more, reaching into his robes and pulling out a document he had prepared in advance. The three blood-red characters for Life-Death Contract stood out starkly on it.

Yu Kan's expression was grave. He stepped forward, took the contract from Xiong Wu, and examined it closely, word by word.

The terms were simple and cold: both parties entered the arena willingly, each accepted whatever fate awaited them, and all grievances would be settled after the fight. There were no tricks in the wording. After reading it, Yu Kan gave Zhou Jingfeng a slight nod to confirm that everything was in order.

Zhou Jingfeng took the contract and glanced over it. His eyes settled on the time and place. After a brief pause, he said, "Let's set it for ten days from now."

Ten days was neither long nor short.

Given the talent Chen Yue had shown, he could make further progress before then.

"Ten days? Fine!" Xiong Wu considered it briefly, then nodded.

Ten days would give him enough time to get into shape. It would also give the news time to spread, so more people could witness how the Sea Shark Gang dealt with a pearl diver who wouldn't obey.

With Zhou Jingfeng, Yu Kan, Ma Jun, and the others as witnesses, Chen Yue and Xiong Wu each signed the cold, unforgiving Life-Death Contract and pressed their blood-red handprints onto it.

The contract was made in two copies, one for each side.

Xiong Wu carefully folded his copy and tucked it into his robes. He clasped his hands toward Zhou Jingfeng again, though this time his smile held a greater air of certainty. "Hall Master Zhou, we'll meet again in ten days! I'll take my leave!"

With that, he didn't spare Chen Yue another glance, as if the young man were already dead, and strode out of Iron Mountain Hall.

The heavy thud of his footsteps gradually faded, leaving a suffocating silence in the courtyard.

Once Xiong Wu's figure disappeared at the mouth of the alley, the chill in Zhou Jingfeng's expression eased. He instructed Ma Jun, "Ma Jun, take the Life-Death Contract to the county office and have it registered. Go through the proper procedure, so the Sea Shark Gang can't stir up trouble later."

"Yes, Master!" Ma Jun replied. He took the copy Chen Yue handed back and hurried out.

A private agreement was enough to arrange a Life-Death Arena fight, but registering it with the authorities could best prevent the dead man's friends, relatives, or faction from using the death as an excuse to seek revenge. It was an accepted rule of the martial world.

Now that only Iron Mountain Hall's own people remained in the courtyard, Zhou Jingfeng turned and looked at Chen Yue. After a moment's thought, he said, "Chen Yue, don't rush to keep studying the Mountain Crushing Fist over the next ten days. It's a fine technique, but ten days won't be enough to master it. You may not be able to bring out its full power in a fight."

"Why don't I spar with Junior Brother a few times over the next few days?" Yu Kan offered.

Zhou Jingfeng thought it over, then shook his head. "For now, learn Eight-Step Cicada Chase! This footwork is an excellent means of escape and surprise attack. Combined with the Iron Mountain Saber, it'll let you bring your current offensive power to its fullest! The saber is for attacking, the footwork for adapting. One is conventional, the other unexpected—that's the right path!"

"This disciple understands. I'll follow your arrangements, Master!" Chen Yue nodded solemnly. He knew his master was choosing the best approach for an actual fight.

Zhou Jingfeng considered it again, then said to Chen Yue's family, "Now that the Life-Death Contract is settled, the Sea Shark Gang shouldn't resort to underhanded tactics anytime soon, not if they want to save face. You don't need to move to the Su Family's home for now. Stay here in the hall. It's quiet, and Chen Yue will be able to focus on his training.

"Yu Kan, go prepare the two adjoining guest rooms in the west wing."

"Yes, Master!" Yu Kan replied.